Chapter 59: I've Been Waiting for You for a Long Time

Wen Nan let out a soft chuckle, ignoring the shop assistant’s words. Under the astonished gaze of the other, he strode toward the teahouse called “Waters of Fortune.”

In just a few minutes, the area beneath the newly opened teahouse was packed with players, a dense and bustling crowd. Many had their account levels displayed above their heads, nearly all of them between level 1 and 3. Level 4 was a rare sight, and there wasn’t a single Bronze rank among them.

With his height advantage, Wen Nan stood on the outer edge of the crowd and, craning his neck, could clearly see what was happening inside—

The main doors of the teahouse stood open. In the center of the hall was a low table with two floor cushions. Seated on one of them was a young man with medium-length hair tied into a rakish little ponytail at the back. He wore a modest gray linen robe and sat cross-legged by the table, preparing tea.

Though everything was set up to welcome guests, not a single player among the throng crowding around the teahouse dared to step even half a pace inside.

“Should we give it a try?”

“But that’s Waters of Fortune—the most mysterious of the Six Great Guilds.”

“Exactly, you said it yourself. The most mysterious one of the Six—why would they be interested in someone like us?”

“But the other five have all made it clear in their entry requirements that you need experience clearing high-level maps. Waters of Fortune is the only one that doesn’t. Maybe it’s really our only chance as newbies to join one of the Six.”

“Come on, have you even seen their requirements? Just one line, four words: ‘If fate allows, you may enter.’”

“That vague?”

“Doesn’t that mean we might actually have a shot as newcomers?”

“You’re too young, too naive! Ever chased a girl? Any time her only standard is ‘someone I click with,’ she’s the kind of goddess you’ll never win, no matter how much you pander.”

“Exactly. If the rules can’t be known, the power can’t be measured. The other five guilds at least give clear standards. Waters of Fortune hides everything, making it the toughest to get into. Go check the community—of all the Six, Waters of Fortune has the fewest members. They really do recruit by fate.”

“So why are they here in the novice hall?”

“Maybe… they’re looking for the Chosen Star?”

At the mention of the “Chosen Star,” the lively discussion suddenly fell silent. Everyone looked at each other, clearly wondering who among them could possibly be the one.

Just then, a voice rose from a corner—

“That’s right! It’s me!”

Everyone turned to see a young man with a head of bright yellow hair, arm raised high as he strode confidently from the crowd toward the teahouse.

He plopped himself down on the empty cushion, then reached up to adjust the “halo” above his head—a white, level 4 marker.

Among this group of new players, that level actually made him stand out.

But… was that really enough to make the elusive Waters of Fortune lower themselves to visit the novice hall?

The onlookers decided to wait and see.

The disciple of Waters of Fortune raised his hands in a welcoming gesture, offering the young man a bowl of tea with a genial smile. “Please, friend, have some tea.”

The yellow-haired youth accepted the bowl and downed it in one gulp. “Not bad. Good flavor.”

Then, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he cut straight to the point: “I want to join your guild!”

The disciple retrieved the empty bowl, cradling it in his palm, and looked down at the tea leaves at the bottom, still smiling. “I’m sorry, friend. There is no fate between you and our guild.”

The young man’s face fell. He slapped his palm down on the table with a loud crack, making the tea set rattle. “What do you mean, no fate? Who are you to say so? Get your guild leader out here—I’ll speak to him directly.

“Let me make this clear—I just passed a novice trial and jumped straight from level 1 to level 4! How many in your guild can match my leveling speed?

“With my potential, clearing high-level maps is only a matter of time. Give me three maps and I’ll be Silver, guaranteed!”

Seeing this, the players gathered outside the building all shook their heads and sighed in secret.

In truth, jumping to level 4 after just one trial did show some talent. If he could keep it up, joining one of the Six was not out of reach.

What a pity—he was hopelessly naive.

A little success and he thought he was the Chosen Star, invincible, looking down his nose at others, and acting out in the most decorous of all the guilds.

Now, not only was he barred from Waters of Fortune, but after this scene, he might never be accepted into any of the Six, even if he eventually cleared the high-level maps.

Clearly someone with zero real-world experience—reckless, pure, and foolish. Life’s hard knocks would eventually grind away those rough edges.

Inside the teahouse.

After listening to the outburst, the disciple’s smile didn’t falter, but he quietly lifted the tea bowl—an unmistakable gesture to see the guest out.

But the yellow-haired youth clearly didn’t catch the hint. He kept banging on the table and shouting, “Just get your leader out here! If you miss out on me, it’ll be your loss—”

He hadn’t even finished when, with a sharp swoosh, he vanished on the spot.

The players watching were dumbstruck.

As expected, the Six Great Guilds were not for newbies to dream about.

Try your luck with one of the big guilds with thousands or tens of thousands of members and, at worst, you’d get a few mocking remarks before being shown the door.

But Waters of Fortune? Try your luck, and with one misstep, you’re gone—literally.

Whatever ambitions the onlookers had were instantly snuffed out.

Reality set in, and their curiosity faded. After all, everyone’s rest time was limited; there was no sense wasting it where there’d be no result.

With that settled, the players began to scatter.

Seeing the crowd disperse, Wen Nan turned to leave as well.

“Sir, please wait.”

A voice came from very close by, impossible for Wen Nan to ignore.

He turned to see the disciple who had been making tea now standing right beside him, looking up at him with a beaming smile.

“Me?” Wen Nan pointed to himself.

The disciple nodded with certainty, stepping aside to clear the way into the teahouse. He raised his hand in a welcoming gesture. “We have been expecting you. Would you join us for a brief conversation in the teahouse?”

The dispersing crowd froze in place, every eye now fixed on Wen Nan.

Could it be—the Chosen Star had truly appeared?